Method of manufacturing tobacco cartridges.



C. C. DULA. METHop or MANUFACTHING TOBACCO CARTRIDGES.

' APPLICATION` ILED DEC. 1B. 1915.

Patented. 0@f..29,1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEE l aya-16mm.

c. c. DULA. METHOD 0F MANUFACTURING TOBACCO CARTRIDGES.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. I8. |9I5.

Patented Oct. 29, 1918..

2 SHEETS-*SHEET 2.

III

CALEB C. DULA, 0F YONKERS, NEW YORK.

METHOD 0F MANUFACTURING TOBACCO CARTRIDGES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Cot. 29, 1918.

Application led December 18, 1915. Serial No. 67,548.

lTo all whom z't may concern.' Be it known that I, CALEB C. DULA, a c1t1- zen of the United States, residing at Yonkers, in the county of Westchester and State, of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Methods of Manufacturing Tobacco Cartridges, of which the following is a specification.

My present invention relates to an improved method of manufacturing tobacco cartridges for use in smoking pipes, and more particularly tosmoking cartridges of the kind, and having the characteristics described and claimed in my Patent Number 1,165,000, dated December 21st,. 1915.

The object of the present invention is to provide a simple method of'manufacturing tobacco cartridges for use in smoking pipes wherein such manufacture may be carried on by -a continuous process so that the resulting product will not only be uniform, but the l manufacture of theproductmay be carried out expeditiously and in a comparatively inexpensive manner. While one orrmore of the steps of my improved method may appear to resemble, in a' way, one or more of the steps employed 1n some of the known methods of manufacturing cigarettes from -a continuous rod of tobacco, yet my said method differs materially from cigarette manufacture and is clearly distinguished therefrom in certain essential j steps of the method, all as will hereinafter appear, and as will be further evidenced by the fact that thev resultant product of my method does not, in any way, resemble a cigarette, but is clearly distinguished therefrom in its physical method of use, and its smoking and burning qualities and e properties.

Briefly and generally stated, the invention of the Apresent application resides in the method of making smoking cartridges .adaptedv to be smoked-in a smoking pipe,

which .consists Vin showering previously conditionedtobacco particles to form a stream oftobacc Vof substantial dimensions wherein thetobacco particles are indiscriminately ar-` ranged; continuously 'advancing the tobacco stream.asit'A is' formed; then subjecting the "advancing streamto."fsuiiicientV pressure to cause .the tobaccoparti'cles" to Abecome com- -`pactedV andfinterlocked, and thus forma sub-`v st'antially.-` Stable# brut'vin'lot densely solidified fller-rod across-sectional shape and 'it is showered onto characteristics, its i -view on the y'line- 6%-, `Fig. 1, 'tobacco rod` with., ,wrappedthereabout and the seam sealed.

diameter to fit snugly within the bore of the pipe in which it is to be smoked; then continuously applying a close-fitting wrapperstrip of smokable 'material to the advancing rod and sealing the same while the tobacco particles are in compacted rod form so that the wrapper will closely hug the filler-rod, and finally severing the wrapped rod transversely to provide relatively short pipe-Y tional view showing the different stages orsteps of the continuous method of producing smoking cartridges according to the present invention.

Fig. 2, is a transverse vertical section on the linel Q Fig. l, showing the tobacco as a carrier to provide an advancing tobacco stream which is ultimately formed into a rod from which the finished cartridges are. severed.

Fig. 3, is a transverse vertical section on the line 3-, Fig. 1, showing the step of imparting to the stream of tobacco the maximum compression to convert the stream into a substantially stable, but not densely solidified rod, and' by which compression the tobacco particles are caused to become interlocked.

Fig. 4:, is a transverse vertical section on the line 4-, Fig. 1, showing how the rod of tobacco expands after it has passed the maximum compression stage of the method and just prior to the application of the wrapperstrip thereto. t i

Fig. 5, is a transverse vertical sectional Vview on the line 5-, Fig. 1, showing the wrapper-'strip vpartially applied to the rod with one' edge of the strip upstanding to receive'a stripe of paste to form the sealed seam'of'the rod.

Fig. 6, isa transverse :vertical sectional t vshowing` the "its `applied wrapper Fig. 7 is a erspective view of one of the finished cartridges after it has been cut from the rod.

Fig. 8, is a transverse sectional view showing thev stream of tobacco of substantial dimensions just before it is compressed into rod form.

Fig. 9, is a similar view showing the stream reduced to rod form, the rod being under maximum compression, this step of the method operating to cause the tobacco particles to become interlocked.

Fi 10, is a similar view of the tobacco rod Just after it leaves the maximum compression stage and showing how the rod of tobacco expands after leaving the said compression stage. y

Fig. 11, is a similar view of the tobacco rod showing the wrapper partially applied thereto.

Fig. 12, is a similar view showing how the tobacco rod is further compressed to its final shape and inclosed and retained within its wrapper.

Fig. 13, is a perspective view showing one of the compacted cartridges standing alone, the wrapper having been removed.

Fig. 14, is a perspective view of one of the cartridges broken open to show, in a way, how the particles of tobacco have been interlocked by the maximum compression step of the method.

Fig. 15, isa view showing how a certain definite length of rod may be simultaneously cut into a plurality of pipe-length sections or cartridges, according to a modified arrangement of the method as distinguished from cutting individual cartridges from the rod as it is formed.

Fig. 16, is a perspective view of one form of package containing a plurality of my imroved cartridges arranged end to end to orm a handy pocket package.

Fig. 17, is a view partly 1n section of an ordinary pipe showing one of my improved cartridges inserted therein, the view showing how the cartridge fits snugly into the pipe and how it is sllghtly compressed during such insertion.

In practising my improved method according to the present invent-ion, I first treat the tobacco leaves or leaf strips in a suitable way to render them soft and pliable. This may be accomplished by moistening or steaming the leaves or strips, and if desired, a suitable casing or flavoring extract in the form of a solution may also be employed. This however, is optional with the manufacturer. The softened tobacco leaves are then cut up to provide the tobacco particles from which the cartridges are to be formed, the said particles preferably consisting of relatively short slivers of tobacco of non-uniform dimensions, some being shorter than others. I do not, however, wish to be understood as confining myself to any particular manner of cutting the tobacco except that the tobacco particles, or at least some of them, should be of such dimensions or form as to be capable of becoming interlocked with others so as t0 form a substantially stable rod when subjected to the proper degree of compression.

The soft and pliable tobacco particles are first continuously formed into a stream 10 of relatively large dimensions, the stream being preferably formed by showering the tobacco particles onto a traveling carrier 12, and between spaced moving side walls 13 to collect the tobacco into the form of a stream of substantial dimensions wherein the particles of tobacco constituting the stream are indiscriminately arranged. The stream of conditioned tobacco may be formed in any desired way, but I prefer to first deposit the tobacco particles in a thin layer upon a somewhat rapidly moving endless belt 14 from which the particles are beaten off by a brush-like beater 15 and showered through a vertically arranged trough 16 into the channel formed by the carrier belt 12 and the two moving side walls 13 hereinbefore referred to, which constitute the said channel for determining the dimensions of the movin stream 10 of tobacco, this channel pre erably converging from its rear end toward the forward end so that the advancing stream is gradually compressed laterally as it is formed and advanced.

This advancing stream of indiscriminately arranged tobacco particles is then subjected tov considerable pressure preferably applied on radial lines, and this may be effected by causing the stream to move or travel between suitable compressing devices which may consist in part of the endless carrier 1'2 and moving side walls 13 of the channel heretofore referred to, and in part of a grooved presser wheel 17, as more clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 3. This I may term the maximum compression stage of the method and is an important step in the process because of the effect it has upon the tobacco particles. These parts are so shaped, combined and adjusted as to cause the advancing stream of tobacco to be so closely compacted as to cause the tobacco particles to become interlocked and at the same time the stream is formed into a substantially cylindrical rod 18, Figs. 1, 3 and 9. The degree of compression, however, 1s not so great as to form a rod that is densely solidified. Owing to the condition of the tobacco particles, which are, as stated, so treated as to render them more or less nherently yieldable or springy, the compacted rod has a tendency to expand considerably after leaving the point of maximum compression, as shown at 19, Figs. 4 and 10.

naamw u I-take advantage of this peculiar action of the tobacco,wh1ch results in part from the manner in which the tobacco particles have embrace the rod, as distinguished from a i more or less loose fit about the rod such as would permit of the tobacco being readily expelled from its wrapper; as is the case with cigarettes as commonly manufactured and as contemplated in suggested forms. of tobacco cartridges described in various prior art patents .which have come to my attention and from which `my improved cartridge is clearly distinguished.

As the expanded rod 19 of compacted and interlocked tobacco particles leaves the maximum compression stage referred to, it is continuously advancedor carried forward in any suitable way, as by means of the endless tape 21, Fig. 1, and during its forward movement or vtravel the paper wrapper-strip 20 is continuously wrapped or rolled about the tobacco rod, one edge of the moving wrapper-strip being left upstanding to receive a stripe of paste applied thereto as by a roller 22, Figs. 1 and'5, to form the seam of the wrapper, which seam is formed by folding over and pasting the edge having the stripe of paste to the unpasted edge of the wrapper. To effectually close and smooth the seam'v and assist in drying the paste, I ma rub the freshly pasted seam with a rapldly rotating brush 23, as

more clearly shown in Fig. 1.

During the operationfof applying the Wrapper-strip to the advancing rod of tobacco, the said rod is preferably subjected to further compression to again reduce the diameter thereof, so' that thefinished rod and.'

the cartridges cut therefrom will have a diameter slightly in Vexcess of the diameter of the rod atthe oint of maximum com-pression, as shown 1n Fig..12,l the said finished cartridges 24 having a cross-sectional shape and diameter substantially coextensive with the shape and diameter vof ythe bore of the pipes, as 25, in which they are to be smoked.

The effect ofthe further'compressionof the tobacco rod as above referred to is to cause the thin paper wrapper to be closely applied or stretched about the rod, so that not only will the wrapper be close-fitting, but the tobacco particles will not readily sift from the ends of a short section or cartridge cut therefrom notwithstanding thediameter of the cartridges which are nearly as thick through as they are long.

compacted and the manner -and- `wrapper to become more closely vin other words, more closely confined and retained within As the finished rod advances, the individual cartridges 24.- are cut therefrom as by a rotary cutter 26, Fig. 1, or if desired, I may cut sections of substantial length from therod and subsequently cut such severed length into al plurality of short pipe-length sections or cartridges 24, such cuttingbeing effected simultaneously by means .of a plurality of disk-like cutters 26a,'Fig. 15.

In Figs. 8 to 12 inclusive, I have shown cross-sectional views of the tobacco stream and rod formed therefrom during the several successive steps or stages of the method.

By referring to these figures, it will be seen thatin Fig. 8 the tobacco particles are indiscriminately arranged andv collected 1n the form of a stream 10 having substantial cross-sectional dimensions.

`.In Fig. 9, the stream is shown at what 1 have termed the maximum compression stage 18, at which ticles are subjectedl to suilicient pressure, preferably exerted on radial lines, to cause the particles to become interlocked, the interlocking actionbeing due in part to the degree of compression exerted upon the tobacco particles, and in part to the form and condition of the tobacco particles.

In Fig. 10, at 19, the rod is shownjust after it leaves the maximum compression stage andit will be seen by referring to said ligure that notwithstanding the degree to which the tobacco has been compressed or compacted, the rod nevertheless expands considerably owing to the springy nature of the tobacco, the fact that` it has been closely extent to which it has been rendered pliable. v

In Fig. 11,`.the wrapper-strip 20v is shown partially applied :to the rod, and in Fi l2, the wrapper is shown as completely applied and the seam sealed. i

As before stated, during the steps of applying the wrapper to the rod, the latter is further compressed which further compression may be effected by passing the rod with its wrapper-strip through the substantially rigid channel 27, as more clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 6, so that when the closely l' compacted rod with itsapplied and seamed wrapper emerges from the channel 27, the inherent expansibility of the tobacco particles againy asserting itself will cause the n applied, or will cause the rod to become its wra per so that `not only will the particles o y tobacco befprevented from sifting out0 of a short section or cartridge cut from the rod, but v the rod itself cannot be readily lexpelled lfrom its wrapper.

yWhile the rod of tobacco, is subjected to considerable pressure as referred to, so as to cause the tobacco particles to become interlocked and form a ksubstantially stable point the tobacco parrod, yet the compression is not so great as to entirely destroy the porosity of the rod or prevent a draft therethrough, as is requlred when smoking the cartridges in a pi e. The tobacco particles, however, are su ciently closely compacted so that an uncovered section of the rod or cartridge will maintain its shape against moderate pressure when standing alone, as more clearly shown in Fig. 13.

Fig. 14 illustrates one of the wrapped cartridges broken open longitudinally and illustratlng in a way how the tobacco particles become interlocked during the compression stage or stages of the method.

In preparing the cartridges for the market, I prefer to arrange a plurality of the cartridges end to end and inclose them within a wrapper blank 28 of flexible and substantially air and moisture-proof paper, as more clearly shown in Fig. 16. rI-he wrapper blank 28 is wound or curled about the series of individual cartridges 24: and the free ends of the blank neatly folded and sealed to form a handy pocket package. In wrapping the cartridges, the individual cartridges cut from the rod may be arranged end to end as described and then wrapped; or I may cut a section from the rod of suiicient length to provide a plurality of cartridges, which rod length or section may then be simultaneously acted upon by suitable cutters 26a to cut the same into a plurality of cartridges, as more clearly shown in Fig. 15, and without disarranging the end to end relation of the cartridges so cut, I may then wind or,

roll the wrapper blank about the same and seal the blank to form the handy pocket package referred to.

In Fig. 17, I have illustrated an ordinary form of smoking pipe 25 having one of my improved cartridges 24 inserted therein, the view showing how the cartridge, notwithstanding the fact that the tobacco therein has already been very closely compacted, yet it is still susceptible of slight further compression whereby the cartridges may be inserted within the bowl of the pipe so as to have a snug t therein.

It will be seen from the foregoing that according to my improved method, I am able to manufacture in a continuous, comparatively inexpensive, and expeditious manner, tobacco cartridges composed of tobacco particles indiscriminately arranged, and wherein each cartridge is sufficiently closely compacted to maintain its shape against moderate pressure when standing alone, as shown in Fig. 13, but so packed as to permit of slight further compression when forced into a smoking'pipe and form a snug fit therein and allow of a draft therethrough, the said cartridges being each of su'bstantially uniform diameter from end to end and inclosed within an open-ended smoking pipe, but the tobacco particles are maarre wrapper having a sufficiently snug t to prevent displacement of the wrapper on the cartridge when the covered cartridge is forced into a pipe or smoking tube.

Tobacco cartridges for use in smoking pipes made in accordance with my improved method as herein described, are clearl distinguished from all known forms ofy cartridges and methods of making the same of which I am aware, and are clearly distinguished from cigarettes or cigarette manufacture in that noty only are the cartridges made in relatively short sections and of sufficient diameter to fit snugly within a so conditioned, arranged and compacted as to become interlocked and thus form a substantially stable, but not densely solidified filler having suflicient porosity to permit of a draft therethrough, and the particles are also prevented from sifting out of the ends of the wrapped cartridge thus avoidingthe objectionable soggy heel Vso common in ordinary pipe smoking.

Furthermore, owing to the manner in which the tobacco particles are compacted, the cartridges will burn slowly and evenly, thus giving the consumer a relatively long and cool smoke from a very short section or cart-ridge. Another advantageous characteristic of cartridges made according to my method is that the ash of the burning cartridge maintains its cartridge form during the act of smoking, thus affordin a clean smoke since the burning tobacco oes not expand and Slough out over the edge of the pipe as is the case with pipes loaded in the ordinary way. A still further advantage resulting from the peculiar manner in which the tobacco is arranged and compacted resides in the yfact that the cartridges may be said to be ready tamped thus avoiding the necessity of continually acking or tamping the burning tobacco durlng theact of smoking as is customary and necessary with other forms of tobacco.

Vhat I claim is: f

l. The method herein described of making smoking cartridges adapted to be smoked in .fl-smoking pipe, which consists in showering tobacco particles to form a stream of substantial dimensions wherein the tobacco particles are indiscriminately arranged, continuously advancing the stream as it is formed, then subjecting the advancing stream to suf- 120 licient pressure to cause the tobacco particles to become interlocked and thus form a substantially stable,but not densely solidified filler-rod, the pressure exerted upon the tobacco being suflicient to cause a short section cut from the rod to maintain itsv shape against moderate pressure when standing alone, then continuously ap lying a'close-litting wrapper-strip of smolgable material to the advancing rod and sealing the same while the tobacco particles are held in compacted rod form, and finally severing the wrapped rod transversely to provide relatively short pipe-length sections having a ycross-sectional shape and diameter t fit snugly within the pipe in which it is to be smoked.

2. The method herein described of making smoking'cartridges adapted to be smoked in a smoking pipe, which consists in arranging previously conditioned tobacco particles in the form ot' a stream of substantial dimensions wherein the said particles are indiscriminately disposed relative to one another, continuously advancing the stream as it is formed, then subjecting the advancing stream to sutiicient pressure to cause the tobacco particles 'to become interlocked and thus form a substantially stable but not densely solidified filler-rod, the said pressure exerted upon the rod being sufficient to cause a section cut 'from the rod to maintain its shape against moderate pressure when I standing alone, then applying a close-fitting wrapper-strip of smokable material to the rod and sealing the same while the tobacco particles are held in compacted rod form, and nall severing the wrapped rod transversely o its length to provide relatively short pipe-length sections each having a cross-sectional shape and diameter to t snugly within the pipe in which it is to be smoked.

3. The method herein described of making smoking cartridges adapted to be smoked in a smoking pipe, which consists in showering previously conditioned tobacco particles to form a stream of substantial dimensions wherein the tobacco particles are indiscrimi-4 nately arranged, continuously advancing the stream as it is formed, then subjecting the advancing stream at one point to suicient pressure exerted upon radial lines to cause the tobacco particles to become interlocked 15 and thus form a substantially stable but not densely solidified filler-rod, t e said pressure exerted upon the tobacco being sucient to cause a short section cut from the rod to maintain its shape against moderate pressure when standing alone, then permitting the compressed rod to expand, then again compressing the rod to a crossfsectional shape and diameter to fit snugly within the pipe in which it is to be smoked and while in such later compressed state continuously applying a close-tting wrapper-strip of smokable material thereto and sealing the same, and finally severing the Wrapped rod transversely to provide short pipe-length sections.-

4. The method herein described of making smoking cartridges adapted to be smoked in a smoking pipe, which consists in showering tobacco particles to form a stream of substantial dimensions wherein the tobacco particles are indiscriminately arranged, continuously advancin the stream as it. is formed, then subJecting the advancing stream t0 suicient pressure to cause the tobacco particles. to become interlocked and thus form a substantially stable, but not denselyv solidified filler-rod, then permitting.

the rod to expand slightly, then further compressing the rod to bring it to a crosssection'al shape and diameter to lit snugly within the pipe in which it is to be smoked and while so compressed applying a closeitting wrapper-strip thereto, then severing the wrapped rod transversely into a plurality of pipe-length sections arranged end'to end, and finally incloslng the said plurality of sections within an outer wrapper or cover without disarranging the end to end relation of the cartridges to provide a handy pocket package'.

ln testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CALEB C. DELA. Witnesses N. W. FLOWERS, J. P. TAYLOR. 

